McDonald's slump no easy fix; experts say focus on food, brandingChicago TribuneThe world's largest restaurant company has posted three consecutive months of declines in global sales at long-standing locations, its longest such slide since early 2003. Some of its troubles can be traced to the changing tastes of American consumers.

Only 4 states will see cuts to food stampsThe Associated Press via ABC NewsCuts to the nation's food stamp program enacted this year are only affecting four states, far from the sweeping overhaul that Republicans had pushed, an Associated Press review has found.

Democrats, GOP in unfavorability tiePoliticoAmericans hold similarly favorable views of the Democratic and Republican parties, a new poll says. According to a Gallup poll released Thursday, 42 percent of Americans have a favorable view of the Democratic Party, compared with 40 percent for the GOP.

Pork lobby courts black caucusPolitico Pro (subscriber story)Black lawmakers are beginning to see a new source of money in their campaign coffers: pork farmers. The National Pork Producers Council, which has traditionally supported rural, farm-state conservatives, has launched a strategy to lobby urban, minority and often more liberal members of Congress in hopes of winning over a constituency that is still seething over Republican-driven cuts to food stamps in this year's farm bill.

USDA approves new modified corn, soybean seedsThe Associated Press via Sioux City JournalThe U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the use of genetically modified corn and soybean seeds that are resistant to a popular weed killer.

Moscow court fines Burger King for food safety violationsRia NovostiThe Moscow Arbitration Court, at the request of Russia's public health agency Rospotrebnadzor, has fined the operator and manager of Burger King restaurants in Russia, citing the storage of unauthorized items in refrigerators alongside food.

Panama in talks to export beef to the USMeatingplacePanama is now looking to fulfill all health standards in order to export beef to the United States, reports Spanish-language news publication LaEstrella.pa.

Hawaii county votes to fund court appeal of GMO pre-emptionThe Garden IslandThe Kauai County Council voted 5-1 Wednesday to approve funding to appeal a court ruling that County Ordinance 960 regulating pesticides and genetically modified crops on the island is pre-empted by state law, and therefore invalid.

WhiteWave spending $195 million to buy Oregon companyDenver Business JournalDenver-based WhiteWave Foods Co. has agreed to buy So Delicious Dairy Free for about $195 million in cash. So Delicious, based in Eugene, Oregon, makes a line of plant-based beverages, creamers and frozen desserts.

Why good deeds pay off for brandsMarketing WeekThe value of "intangible assets" such as brand reputation and consumer relationships is receiving greater recognition by businesses, and new research suggests those of Cadbury are more valuable than those of any other brands in the U.K.

Nestle says alliances will create 100,000 jobs in EuropeBloombergNestle SA, the world's biggest food company, said 100,000 job opportunities will be created for young people within four years as it expands an alliance with about 200 companies, including Google Inc., to cut youth joblessness.